Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 February 2023
23 Feb 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill
In many ways, this day was inevitable. As soon as the Brexit referendum was lost and the Conservative Government sought a hard Brexit that cut almost all formal arrangements with the EU, there was always going to be a need to manage the harsh transition. The sheer volume of European law that is contained in British law is enormous, and to unpick it is a horrendous task.
In passing, I say that that is a lesson for those who argue that independence would be a breeze and could be done within 16 months. More than six years into the Brexit process, we are still disentangling our relationship with the European Union.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-07997, in the name of Angus Robertson, on the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, which is a pi...
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (Angus Robertson)
SNP
Today’s debate is timely, because today is also the day on which the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill begins its committee stage in the House of ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Clare Adamson to speak on behalf of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. 14:37
Clare Adamson (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)
SNP
I thank members of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, the committee clerks and all those who submitted evidence and attended m...
Donald Cameron (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I refer to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a member of the Faculty of Advocates. This is, of course, the second time that I have risen ...
Jenni Minto (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Donald Cameron
Con
Very briefly.
Jenni Minto
SNP
I am interested in the definition of “EU law”, because all these laws were looked at by the Parliaments of the United Kingdom during the time of our membersh...
Donald Cameron
Con
I am not sure that they were all on the statute book. That is a question of legal interpretation. I certainly acknowledge that a lot of EU law was either dir...
Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Donald Cameron
Con
I will not. I have very little time. Otherwise, there will be two separate statute books, with completely different interpretive principles and case law. I...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Scottish Labour has been clear that we do not support the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. I start by thanking all those who gave evidence to th...
Willie Rennie (North East Fife) (LD)
LD
In many ways, this day was inevitable. As soon as the Brexit referendum was lost and the Conservative Government sought a hard Brexit that cut almost all for...
Alasdair Allan
SNP
For the record, my understanding is that no one in the independence movement would suggest that all laws since 1707 be unpicked or repealed on independence d...
Willie Rennie
LD
To be honest, I think that both movements are as bad as each other on this. They both promised far too harsh a transition far too early—the nationalists prom...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call the cabinet secretary, Angus Robertson, to wind up on behalf of the Scottish Government. 14:56
Angus Robertson
SNP
I sincerely thank everybody who took part in this short debate. I will briefly feed back on those contributions. Clare Adamson, the convener of the Constitu...
Sarah Boyack
Lab
It is important that we can get that as soon as possible. If the cabinet secretary could refer to the references in the Constitution, Europe, External Affair...
Angus Robertson
SNP
Absolutely—I am happy to—but I am sure that Sarah Boyack understands that we are still in the middle of a process of trying to understand the course of actio...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That concludes the debate on the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.